The Danes have a deep respect for nature and believe that spending time outdoors is essential for physical and mental well-being. Children are therefore naturally exposed to the beauty and diversity of the natural world from an early age.
In this article, you’ll find out just how important outdoor play is in Danish culture, as well as a selection of playgrounds not to be missed when you come to Copenhagen.
A chance for young and old to get away from it all!
Denmark’s outdoor play culture
Danish culture emphasises equality and access to nature for all. Public parks and green spaces are plentiful and easily accessible, even in the heart of Copenhagen, allowing children from all backgrounds to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.
The Danish education system emphasises learning through free play, particularly in the early years. Children are encouraged to explore their environment, take risks and learn from their mistakes. Teachers adopt a flexible, observational approach, giving children the freedom to discover and invent their own games.
Playing outdoors is therefore considered to be an essential part of healthy child development in Denmark, and the many physical, social, emotional and cognitive benefits of doing so are well established.
- Development of motor skills, coordination and balance: Children climb, run, jump and explore their environment, which strengthens their muscles and bones and therefore their free motor skills. During outdoor activities, the children manipulate leaves, small pieces of wood and pebbles, which also actively contributes to the development of fine motor skills.
- Facilitating social interaction and collaboration between children: They learn to share, negotiate and resolve conflicts together. What’s more, playing outdoors reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes a sense of well-being and happiness. Sensations that contribute to living together.
- Natural and stimulating learning: Children explore, experiment and discover the world in their own way, developing their creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills.
- Resilience and adaptation: The Danish climate can be harsh at times, but that doesn’t stop the children from playing outdoors. They learn to adapt to different weather conditions, which strengthens their physical and mental resilience.
📌 These moments of play are also enriching for parents! Spending time with your children outdoors is an excellent way of creating bonds and beautiful memories as a family.
And to take things further: guided tours specially designed for families
If you’re travelling to Scandinavia with children aged 6 to 12, why not combine the pleasures of play and cultural discovery?
Our private guided tours of Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm are specially designed for children. Playful, interactive and adapted to the pace of the youngest visitors, they turn each tour into a real adventure!
👉 Discover all our visits on Scandikidstours.
Copenhagen, an ideal playground
The Danish capital is characterised by its green urban environment and the multitude of green spaces and play areas dedicated to children and designed to meet their specific needs and encourage their development.
Copenhagen municipality has more than 200 public playgrounds. These include playgrounds in parks, schools and residential green spaces, all of which are great places for children to discover.
The city of Copenhagen attaches paramount importance to the quality of life of its citizens. Urban planning aims to create an environment that is healthy, pleasant and conducive to well-being. Green spaces and play areas are an integral part of this vision, providing residents with places to relax, enjoy themselves and socialise.
Copenhagen is also recognised worldwide for its excellence in architecture and urban design. This expertise is reflected in the design and implementation of play areas in the Danish urban landscape.
Copenhagen’s best playgrounds for children
As you can see, Copenhagen is full of fantastic playgrounds that will keep children of all ages entertained and make for great family get-togethers. Whether you’re looking for thrilling climbing structures, dizzying slides or peaceful green spaces, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for.
Here are 5 playgrounds in the Danish capital not to be missed:
1 – Tårnlegepladsen
Nestled in the heart of Fælledparken, one of Copenhagen’s largest parks, Tårnlegepladsen is a playground like no other. Designed for children aged 3 to 10, it is inspired by Copenhagen’s iconic towers and invites adventure and imagination in a magical setting.
Nestled in the heart of Fælledparken, one of Copenhagen’s largest parks, Tårnlegepladsen is a playground like no other. Designed for children aged 3 to 10, it is inspired by Copenhagen’s iconic towers and invites adventure and imagination in a magical setting.
Surrounded by mature trees and lush green lawns, Tårnlegepladsen offers a peaceful and friendly setting. There are benches all around the play area, as there often are, so that parents can relax and watch their children in peace.
Address: Frederik V’s Vej 4, 2100 København
Open Monday to Thursday 9.30am-5pm, Friday 10am-5pm, closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
2 – Superkilen Park
This well-known park stretches for almost 750 metres and is divided into 3 distinct zones:
The Red Square, where a multicoloured rubber floor – red, pink and orange – invites children to let off steam. A life-size playground, this sports area welcomes skateboarders, Thai boxers and budding explorers. Playgrounds, benches from Brazil and swings from Iraq complete this cosmopolitan setting, while a border of maple trees provides a welcome spot of shade in summer. It’s an ideal gathering place for all the family!
The “urban living room”, a convivial space where the concrete is adorned with undulating white lines. Palms and Japanese cherry trees punctuate the space, creating a peaceful atmosphere conducive to relaxation. Brazilian bar chairs, a Moroccan fountain and a slide in the shape of a Japanese octopus punctuate this unexpected decor, inviting people to play and share. This friendly space is a real haven of peace where you can meet up for board games, picnics or simply to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet with your family.
The Green Park, a green setting where nature expresses itself in all its splendour. Green hills and wide lawns invite you to relax and enjoy outdoor activities. Football pitches, basketball courts, picnic tables and barbecues await young and old alike. This area, ideal for spending time with family and friends, offers an idyllic setting for enjoying the benefits of the sun and fresh air.
Address: Nørrebrogade 210, 2200 København
Open 24 hours a day
3 – Kongens Have
Located in the heart of the King’s Garden, the playground offers a place for children of all ages to relax and have fun. Its historic and bucolic setting makes it a unique place for family fun.
In the middle of this haven of greenery, children will discover an enchanted world where they can climb on the back of a majestic dragon and be transported into a fairytale world, where glittering golden eggs and hand-carved wooden characters hide behind every tree. Children will also have a great time on the more traditional playground structures, such as the sandpit and log courses.
If you’re looking for some unique entertainment, don’t miss the puppet shows at the Théâtre de Marionnettes, from 1 June to 1 September, every day at 2pm and 3pm (except Mondays).
Address: Øster Voldgade 4, 1307 København
Open every day from 7am to 5pm
4 – Nørrebroparken
The playground stretches over 3,500 metres, where soft lawns, majestic trees and a lush green cycle path come together in harmony. In this enchanting setting, the playground invites children to experience extraordinary adventures.
Planes, boats and a giant whale transport children to an imaginary world where anything is possible. Inside the yellow house, creative activities, board games, an aquarium and fascinating stick insects invite them to relax and discover.
Outdoors, children can wander through a plant maze, take the “topsy-turvy trail,” and explore garden boxes filled with a thousand sensory treasures—scents, textures, and tastes. Sports fields, swings, mooncars, scooters, and a sandbox await young explorers for unforgettable moments of play.
Address: Stefansgade 28-30, 2200 København
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Sunday, 10am to 5pm (closed on Saturdays)
5 – Christianshavns Vold Bemandede
In the heart of Christianshavn, nestling at the foot of the historic city walls, lies a kingdom of play and adventure: Christianshavns Vold, affectionately known as “Volden” by the locals. This vast green space welcomes young and old, from the neighbourhood and beyond, for unforgettable moments of relaxation and fun.
The play area is divided into several distinct zones catering for different age groups and interests. There is a toddler area with swings, sandboxes and rocking animals, while older children can enjoy more adventurous activities such as a zip line, pirate ship and hamster wheel.
There are ball pitches for budding sports enthusiasts to play football, badminton, hockey, basketball, table tennis and table football. Balls, sticks, rackets and hockey sticks are available to borrow during opening hours. Bicycles are also available for budding cyclists, and there is even a small garden where children can learn how to plant and grow plants.
Address: Christianshavns Voldgade 36, 1424 København
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm (closed on Sundays)
Through this selection of playgrounds, you’ll see that a wide variety of equipment and activities are available for all ages and skill levels, promoting the inclusion and development of all children.
Children are also heavily involved in the design process; they are often consulted and invited to give their opinion on the city’s play areas, which ensures that they meet their needs and desires.
Children happy to have fun in specially adapted play areas!
